Johnny Otis ist gestorben

In Los Angeles ist am 17. Januar 2012 im Alter von 90 Jahren der US-amerikanische Bandleader, Multiinstrumentalist, Musikproduzent und Talentsucher Johnny Otis (Bild) gestorben, der vor allem in den 1950er-Jahren populär war. 1994 wurde er in die Rock and Roll Hall of Fame aufgenommen und erhielt den Pioneer Award der R&B Foundation. 2000 wurde er ausserdem Mitglied der Blues Hall of Fame.

Foto: wikipedia.en

«Johnny Otis, who was white, grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood and had a deep connection to black culture. He discovered Etta James and Little Richard.»

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-johnny-otis-20120119,0,2183487.story

«The bandleader Johnny Otis, who has died aged 90, was one of the first white American musicians to cross the racial divide, aligning himself with the black community as a teenager and from then on regarding himself – and being treated as – a black man.» 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jan/19/johnny-otis

«Leading a band in the late 1940s that combined the high musical standards of big band jazz with the raw urgency of gospel music and the blues, Mr. Otis played an important role in creating a new sound for a new audience of young urban blacks. Within a few years it would form the foundation of rock ’n‘ roll.»

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/arts/music/johnny-otis-musician-dies-at-90.html?_r=2&ref=obituaries

Mehr:

http://www.johnnyotisworld.com/

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Otis

Video:

Johnny Otis: «Willie and the Hand Jive»

Johnny Otis performs his monster hit «Willie and the Hand Jive» on his TV show. Late fifties with Marie Adams, the Three Tons of Joy, and Lionel Hampton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEeeGMpM_Nk

Johnny Otis – Willie & the Hand Jives

Clip from «Jukebox Rhythm»

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQPUtJC_UJI&feature=related          

1950’s Johnny Otis Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0mIFzCaOko